Upon deciding to raise spiderlings, we finally decided which species to go for. Brachypelma smithi (Mexican Red Knee - a popular and classic tarantula) and the beautiful Cyclosternum fasciatum (Costa Rican Tiger Rump) was our final choice. We ordered them from www.thespidershop.co.uk, and they came in a well packed box in wee boxes with a single use heat mat at the other side of the box to keep them from freezing overnight.
10.30am saw us receive this package!
We had prepared the living containers the night before, two empty film pots and two small boxes, pushed in air holes, and provided some substrate. Probably one of the most nerve wracking experiences of my life was transfering the first spiderling to the film container. It was all warm and cosy in it's wee travelling pot! So here they are, little spiderlings:
To give you a rough idea, the tissue used was a damp piece of toilet paper. The Red Knee, is about 1cm, but the Tiger Rump is not even half of that, so incredibly small and delicate! The Tiger Rump is very happy in the film pot, and has even had a pinhead cricket for tea. The Red Knee, we suspect to moult soon as it was not bothered about food and has a dark patch on it's abdomen! :D
Mexican Red Knee - above
Costa Rican Tiger Rump - below
They are both doing great and are probably looking forward to a nice rest after travelling (!)
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